Plate-handling machine



PATENTED FEB. 23, 1904.

E/MILES. v PLATE HANDLING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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PATENTED FEB. 23 1904.

E. MILES.

PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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No. 752,914. a I PATENTED FEB. 23, 1904.-

. E. MILES.

PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV.13, 1902.

No. 752,914. PATENTED FEB. 23, 1904.

I E. MILES.

PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIOH FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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PATENTED FEB. 23, 19 04.

I E. MILES.

PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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PAIENTED FEB. 23, 1904.

v E. MILES. PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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PATENTED FEB. 23', 1904.

E. MILES. PLATE HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 13, 1902.

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EDMUND MILES, OF

Patented February 23, 1904.

PATENT OFF-ion- CAMBRIDGE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO s. L.

SELLECK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PLATE-HANDLING NIACHlNE- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 752,914, dated February 23, 1904.

Application filed November 13, 1902. Serial No 131,221. (No model.) V

To alt whom it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, EDMUND MILES, a sub- Q ject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Guernsey and State ofOhio, have invented a new and useful Plate-Handling Machine, of whichthe follow- 5 ing is a specification.

This invention relates to a novel plate-handling machine forrolling-mills, and is a further development of the invention disclosedin my copending application, Serial No. 76,487, for Letters Patent. Themachine illustrated in the application includes a plate-receiving memberlocated at one side of a stand of rolls to receive a plate or otherbillet from one pass of the mill and movable to transport the plate toanother pass, through which it is returned for further rolling. Thepositive return of the plate from the plate-receiving member to thesecond pass of the mill is effected by a series of positively-operatedfeedrollers with which said member is equipped. The movements of theplate-receiving member and rollers at the proper'times and in the properdirections are controlled by trip devices operated by the plate orbillet being handled.

My present invention has for its object to provide plate-receivingmembers at opposite sides of the mill-stand, so that the plate or billetmay be automatically passed back and forth through the mill untilproperly rolled, and it also has for its object to simplify and improvethe mechanism whereby the automatic control of the members or tongs andthe feed-rollers thereof is effected. 4

A further object of the invention is to provide for the automaticpassing and repassing of a plate through difierent passes of the milluntil said plate or billet is of predetermined dimensions and to theneffect the automatic delivery of the plate from one side of the machinewhile a new billet is being fed into i theother side thereof.

rolls, separate power mechanisms for operating the members and thefeed-rollers with which the members are equipped, and electromagneticclutches for connecting the power mechanisms with the members androllers mechanism which properly times the movements of the members androllers and includes one or more trip devices disposed for actuation bythe plateor billet being handled.

The invention consists, further, in various features of construction andarrangement to be hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and succinctly defined in the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my machine complete.Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side thereof. Fig. 3 is a topplan view. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section on the line 4t 4t of Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 ,5 of Fig. 3. Fig; 6 is asimilar view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. ,7 is an end elevation ofthe machine. Fig; 8 is a detail sectional view, partly in elevation,showing the construction of one of the clutches. of one of the secondaryswitches. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in whichthe eccentrics are mounted in the side walls of the tongs. Fig. 11 is asectional view of a portionof the machine, showing in full lines theposition of the primary switch-operating mechanism when a plate ispassing to the positions assumed by the parts when the plate has beencompletely received and the trigger is released. Fig.12 is a similarview illustrating the manner in which the primary switch is operatedupon the reception or a plate by the front plate-receiving member fromthe upper pass of the mill. Fig. 1.3 is still another View of likecharacter, illustrating the operation of the mechanism for effecting theautomatic delivery of a completely- 15, 16, and 17 are diagrammaticviews illustrative of the wiring of the machine, the closed circuitsbeing indicated in black lines.

and included as a part of electrical controlling Fig. 9 is a detailsectional view rolled plate from the machine; and Figs. 14,.

the rear receiving member and in dotted lines Like characters ofreference are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

1 indicates the housing of a stand of millrolls 2, 3, and 4 drivencontinuously by power applied in any suitable manner. From this housingextend in opposite directions rails or guides 5 and 6, which support theplate-handling mechanisms located at opposite sides of the mill-standand capable of bodily movement toward and away from the rolls tofacilitate such reorganization of the apparatus as may be necessary.

The frames 7 and 8 each consist of vertical side walls 9 and 10 andsuitable transverse connections and are designed for the support ofplate-receiving members. These plate-receiving members, mounted in theframes 7 and 8 at opposite sides of the mill-stand, constitute theprimary elements of the plate-handling apparatus and are preferably inthe form of tongs 11 and 12, comprehending upper and lower members 13and 14. The members of each tong have a common pivotal support upon ahorizontal shaft 15 and are urged'togetheras,-for instance, by a spring16, hearing at one end against the under side of the rearwardlyextendingtailpiece 17 of the upper tong member 13 and at its opposite end againstthe head 18 of a stem 19, projecting from the opposed tailpiece 20 ofthe lower tong member 14. These springs serve to urge the jaws ormembers of the tongs together for a pur pose to be hereinafterexplained. Each tong or plate-receiving member is equipped with upperand lower series of rollers 21 and 22, journaled in the opposite sidesof the members 13 and 14. The plate or billet when supported by eitherof the members 11 or 12 is disposed between the upper or lower series ofrollers thereof and is gripped with more or less pressure, so that whenthe lower series of rollers 22 are driven by mechanism to be describedthe plate will be positively fed in the proper direction according tothe direction of rotation of the rollers. As premised, theplatereceiving members or tongs at opposite sides of the rolls aredesigned to effect the passing and repassing of the billet through themill, and as the passes of the latter are located at differentelevations it'is necessary to provide means for raising and lowering thetongs. Adjacent to the inner ends of the frames 7 and 8 and somewhatnear the bottom thereof are'journaled eccentric-shafts 23 and 24, eachof which is equipped with apair of eccentrics 25, fitted in suitableopenings in the depending sides of the plate-receiving members. Be yondone side of the machine the shafts 23 and 24 are equipped with pinions26 and 27,

meshing with the reciprocatory racks 28 and- 29, mounted in suitablebearings 30, attached to the frames 7 and 8. At the outer ends of theframes 7 and 8 are journaled power-shafts 31 and 32, equipped withcranks 33, connected by pitmen 34 with the racks 28 and 29, the rotationof the power-shafts thus serving to reciprocate the racks. The relationof the strokes of the racks 28 and 29 to the dimensions of the pinions26 and 27 is such that the eccentric-shafts 23 and 24 will make one-half.of a complete revolutionv as the racks are moved in one direction andwill be returned a like distance as the racks are retracted. It willthus be seen that a complete revolution of one of the cranks 33 willoperate the adjacent eccentric-shaft to effect the elevation of aplate-receiving member by reason of the shifting of the eccentrics andto effect the return of said member by the reshifting of the eccentricsto their normal positions. It will be noted in this connection that thetongs or members 11 and 12 are moved in curvilinear paths, which willpermit them to approach quite close to the opposite sides of themill-passes and to clear the intermediate mill-roll as they move fromone pass to another. This bodily curvilinear movement of theplate-receiving members will of course necessitate more or less lateralmovement of the tong-shafts 15, and I therefore journal the latter insliding journal -boxes 35, located within open-ended horizontal slots 36in the side walls of the frames 7 and 8. (See Figs. 2 and 4.) 9

Each of the power-shafts 31 and 32 is driven from a separate line-shaft37, suitably geared to a loose wheel 38, mounted on the adjacentpower-shaft. While the character of this gearing is immaterial, I preferto utilize a sprocket-chain 39, passed around the wheel 38 and around asomewhat smaller sprocketwheel 40 on the line-shaft. Each line-shaft andWheel 38 are operated continuously, and the connection of the loosewheels with the power-shafts is effected at the proper time by means ofelectromagnetic clutches 41 and 42. For convenience these clutches maybe termed the machine clutches, and their specific construction will behereinafter more fully described. It may be stated at this point,however, that these clutches when'magnetized connect the operatingmechanism of the platereceiving members with the power to cause theshifting of said members from one pass to another and when demagnetizedeffect the disconnection of such operating mechanism from the power topermit the plate-receiving members to remain stationary until theirmovement from one pass to another of the mill is again desired Fixed toeach of the wheels 38 to rotate therewith is a comparatively smallsprocketwhee143, geared, as by a sprocket-chain 44, with a similarsprocket-wheel 45, fixed to the outer end of a short horizontal shaft46, mounted in suitable bearings above one side of the adjacentmachine-frame. These short horizontal shafts 46 are gearedas, forinstance, by beveled gears 47 -to the roller-opcrating shafts 48 and i9,journaled in suitable bearings 50, supported by the adjacent side wallsof the frames 7 and 8. These shafts 48 and 49 are rotated continuouslyand are each provided with a pair of electromagnetic rollerclutches,(the several clutches being indicated by 51, 52, 53, and 54,) by meansof which said shafts are operatively connected at the proper times withthe feed-rollers of the plate-receiving members to drive said rollers inthe desired direction. Associated with each of the roller-clutches is asmall beveled gearwheel 55, the wheels associated with the clutches ofeach pair being oppositely disposed and in mesh with similar gears 56,fixed to the u pper ends of short vertical shafts 57, geared, as bybeveled gears 58, to horizontal shafts 59, mounted in suitable bearingsfixed to the side walls of the frames 7 and 8. Each of the shafts 59 isprovided adjacent to its outer end with a small beveled gear 60, meshingwith a similar gear 61 on the adjacent tong-shaft 15.

It has been heretofore explained that the tongshafts move laterally asthe tongs or plate-receiving members are raised and lowered, and toprevent this movement of the shafts from throwing them out of gear withthe shafts 59 the gear-wheels 60 on the latter are ,mounted to slidelongitudinally of the shafts and are each provided with a grooved hub62, engaged by a finger 63, projecting from the adjacent journal-box 35.As the boxes 35 slide back and forth with the tongshafts the fingers 63will shift the gears 60 upon the shafts 59 and will thus insure anoperative connection between the shafts 59 and 15 at all times. Gearedto each tong-shaft 15, as by beveled gears 64%, is a counter-shaft 65,movable with the adjacent plate -receiving member and journaled insuitable bearings at one side thereof. The counter-shafts 65 are in turngeared to the lower series of. feed-rollers, the trunnions of whichlatter are equipped with beveled gear-wheels 66, meshing with similargear-wheels 67, mounted on the shafts 65. (See Fig. 4.)

It will now be seen that the vertical counter-shafts 57 are gearedconstantly to the feed-rollers of the plate-receiving members atopposite sides of the mill-rolls and are also geared to a pair ofoppositely-disposed beveled gear-wheels 55, loosely mounted upon acontinuously -rotating rolleroperating shaft 48 or 49, It thereforefollows that by connecting one or the other of the wheels 55 with theroller-operating shaft the counter-shaft 57 will be rotated in onedirection or the other to rotate the feed-rollers of the adjacentplate-receiving member to feed the plate either toward or away from themill-rolls, as the case may be. We have now seen that by throwing in thema chine-clutches 4E1 and 42 the operating mechanism of the tongs willeffect the elevation or depression of said tongs or plate-receivingmembers and also how the feed-rollers may be rotated in either directionby throwing in the proper roller-clutch of each pair of l ch s toconnect the appropriate wheels 55 With the roller-operating shaft. It isnow in r er 13 describe the means controlling the Operation of theseclutches to properly time the movements of the plate-receiving membersand the feed-rollers thereof as the plate is passed back and forththrough the mill-rolls by the handling apparatus without attention onthe part of an operator. The controlling mechanism is largelyelectrical, and as the several electromagnetic clutches are thrown in bythe closing of a circuit the specific construction of one of them may befirst explained. As shown in Fig. 8, each of the magnetic clutchescomprises a metal disk 68, from one side of which extends a hub 69,terminating in the case of the roller-clutches in a beveled gear-wheel55. In the fiat side face of the disk 68.0pposite the hub 69 is formedan annular recess 7 O for the reception of a reel 71, upon which iswound a coil 72, of wire. The terminals of the coil 72 are passedthrough openings 73 in the disk 68 and are electrically connected to apair of brass rings 74, encircling the hub 68 and insulatedtherefrom-as, for instance, by an insulatingring 75 of any suitablecharacter. Upon the shaft supporting the clutch member just described isfixed a circular armature 76, opposed to that side of the disk 68 inwhich the coil is seated. The electromagnetic attraction of the magnetand armature when the former is energized by the passage of an electriccurrent therethrough connects the loosely-mount ed clutch member to thearmature and causes it, together with the gear-wheel associatedtherewith, to rotate with the shaft. As soon, however, as the circuitthrough the magnet is broken the clutch will be thrown out and theoperating-shaft will rotate independently of it. It has been found inpractice that the magnetism of the armature is sometimes sufiicient tohold the clutch in engagement for a short period after the circuittherethrough has been broken. To overcome this difficulty, I interposebetween each disk 68 and the adjacent armature 7 6 a thin disk 77 ofcopper, which will insure the prompt release of the clutch.

The machine-clutches 41 and 42 are constructed precisely as abovedescribed, but instead of being provided with beveled gears at the endsof their hubs are equipped with the sprocket-wheels 38, to which arefixed the somewhat smaller sprocket wheels 43, as shown in Fig. 4:. Itwill be noted that slight lateral movement of the gear-wheels connectedto the clutches when said clutches are thrown in is contemplated; butsuch movement is not sufiicient to be of consequence. It should beunderstood, however, that while this particular form of clutch ispreferable it is by no means essential, since the control of the machinemight be effected by means of Ice &

insulated from said walls in any suitable manner.

In connection with the various clutches I employ electrical controllingmechanism including a primary controlling-switch 80, two secondaryswitches 81 and 82, and suitable wiring, the primary switch beingdesigned to close the circuit through either of the secondary switches,each of which latter controls the movement of the plate-receivingmembers in one direction and also one direction of movement of thefeed-rollers. The primary switch is located at any convenient point, butpreferably at one end of the apparatus. In Figs. 1 and 2 the switchboard83 of the primary switch is shown attached to one side of the frame 7 atthe front end of the apparatus and equipped with a pair ofswitch-contacts 84 and 85, over which is disposed to operate a swingingswitch-arm 86, pivoted to the switchboard 83 and disposed vertically,with its upper end projected somewhat above the board. Each of thesecondary switches 81 and 82 includes a long contact-plate 87 or 88 anda short contact-plate 89 or 90. These plates are mounted on the outersides of the frames 7 and 8 and are insulated therefrom and from eachother. Over the contact-plates of each secondary switch is disposed totravel a switch-arm 91 or 92, secured to the racks 28 and 29 and movabletherewith. Each of these switch-arms is constructed as illustrated indetail in Fig. 9, in which a spring-pressed plug 93 is shown mounted ina cylindrical socket 9 1, depending from the upper end of an arm 95,formed at its lower end with a splitcollar 96, encircling the reducedportion of a rack-bar and retained by a bolt 97, an insulating-sleeve 98being interposed between the collar and the bar for obvious reasons.Each of the arms 91 and 92 is equipped with a binding-post 99 for theattachment of the circuitwires. The arms of the secondary switches,being connected to the machine-operating racks for reciprocationtherewith, will obviously be moved with the plate-receiving members ortongs, and, furthermore, since the racks are moved in oppositedirections and since the long and short contact-plates of the secondaryswitches are disposed in the same relation it follows that when thetongs are in their completely-depressed positions the arm 5 91 of thesecondary switch 81 will be in con- The 81, while the arm 92 willtraverse the long plate 88 of the switch 82 and will not pass to theshort contact-plate until the racks have been completely retracted andthe tongs raised to a position opposite the upper pass of the mill. Uponthe inward movement of the racks to depress the tongs the reverse of thedescribed operation will take placethat is to say, the arm 92 will passfrom a short contact-plate to a long plate as soon as the advance of theracks begins, while the arm 91 will traverse a long plate and will notcontact with a short plate until the end of the stroke of the rack, or,in other words, until the tongs are completely depressed to positionsopposite the lower pass of the mill.

Having described the manner in which the secondary switches areoperated, so far as the mechanical manipulation of the secondaryswitch-arms is concerned, I shall now describe the manner in which thearm 86 of the primary switch is shifted from one contact to the otherfor the purpose of closing the circuit'through either of the secondaryswitches in a manner to be hereinafter explained.

Mounted upon a suitable supporting bracket or standard 100 is a pivotedtrip device or trigger 101, having its upper end disposed immediately inrear of the lower pass of the mill. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) The tailpiece102 of the trigger is connectedv to a switch-operating device in theform of a reciprocatory rod 103, disposed longitudinally of the machinein a plane below the mill-rolls and guided in suitable bearings 104. Atits front end the rod 103 is provided with an upwardly-extending angulararm 105, the horizontal upper extremity 106 of which is disposedslightly in advance of and in operative proximity to the upper end ofthe primary-switch arm 86. Between one of the bearings 10 1 and aset-collar 107, mounted on the rod 103, is interposed acompressionspring 108. When a plate is fed from the frontplate-receiving member 11 to the rear member or catcher 12, its frontedge after passing through the mill will strike the upper end of thetrigger 101, swinging it to the position indicated in full linesin Fig.11 and retaining it in this position during the passage of the plate tothe rear receiving member. When the trigger is swung in the mannerindicated, the rod 103 will be reciprocated against the resistanceopposed to such movement by the spring 108, the upper end 106 of the arm105 being thus moved to a greater distance in front of the switch-arm86. When the plate has been completely received by the member 12, itsrear edge passing beyondthe trigger will permit the latter to fly backto its initial position under the impulse of the spring 108, theelasticity of which will eflect a reciprocation of the rod 103sufliciently violent to cause the end 106 of the arm 105 to strike asharp blow upon the switch-arm 86, thereby shifting said arm from thecontact 84to the contact 85 of the primary switch, the effect of whichis to change the circuit for the purpose of efiecting theautomaticelevation of the plate-receiving members or tongs, as will presentlyappear. It should be noted, however, that the retractile movement of theswitchthrowing device under the impulse of the spring 108 carries thearm 105 beyond its normal position. (See dotted position in Fig. 1 1.)It is this excess of movement which is utilized in the throwing of theswitch-arm, the recovery of the spring 108 after its violent expansionserving to restore the arm 105 to its normal or initial position. (Shownin Fig. 6.) The shifting of the switch-arm 86 in the opposite directionthat is to say, from the contact 85 to the contact 84-iseffected by means of a similar device, which, however,instead of beingdisposed for actuation by a plate passing through the lower pass of themill, is disposed to be operated by a plate being passed back throughthe upper pass of the mill from the rear plate-receiving member 12 tothe front member 11. This second device includes a pivoted trip ortrigger 109, mounted in a suitable bearingbracket 110 and having itslower end disposed immediately in front of the upper pass of the mill.(See Fig. 5.) To the upper end of the trip 109 is connected the rear endof a reciprocatory switch-throwing rod 111, guided in suitable bearings112 and having its front end bent at an angle and extended intooperative relation with the switch-arm 86, as shown in Fig. 3., The rod111, like the rod 103, is provided with a retracting-spring 113,interposed between a bearing 112 and a set-collar 114 on the rod. Aplate passing through the upper pass of the mill will strike the lowerend of the trip 109, swinging the latter against the resistance of thespring 113. The trip will be held in this position (see Fig. 12) untilthe plate has been completely received by the plate-receiving member 11,at which time the rear end of the plate having passed the trip thelatter will be released, and the spring 113 will efl'ect the violentretraction of the rod 111 to throw the switch-arm 86 from the contact 85to the contact 84. (See dotted position in Fig. 12.)

We have now seen that the primary switch is operated by platecontrolledmeans and that the secondary switches are operated by moving elements ofthe machine, and it may be emphasized at this point that it isimmaterial what machine element or elements are utilized to efiectthemovement of the switcha V- a arms 91 and 92, since the transfer of thesearms to the several contact-plates of the secondary switches when thetongs have reached predetermined positions might be effected in avariety of ways.

I shall now proceed to describe the elec-' trical connections by meansof which the roller and tongs operating mechanisms are called intoaction at the proper times to move the tongs and rollers in the properdirections by the throwing in or out of the proper clutches. In Figs.14, 15, 16, and 17 the Wiring has been illustrated in diagram and issubstantially as follows: Line-wires a and 6; are connected to thewiring of the machine by means of a lineswitch (1;, whose binding-postsare indicated by a and 6. From the binding-post a of the switch at isled a wire 0, which after being paralled to feed one or more lamps 3preferably mounted on the machine, is led to the switch-arm 86 of theprimary switch 80. From the contact 84 of the switch a wire (Z is led tothe switch arm 91 of the secondary switch 81, and from the contact ofthe pri mary switch a wire 6 is led to the arm 92 of the secondaryswitch 82. From the long contactplate 87 of the switch 81 a wire f isled to one brush of the machine-clutch 42, and a wire g is led to thesame brush from the long contact plate 88 of the switch 82. From theother brush of the machine-clutch 42 a wire it is led to a brush of themachine-clutch 41, from the,ot-her brush of which a wire dis led to thebinding-post 5' of the line-switch.

It has been heretofore noted that by reason of the peculiar gearingemployed between the roller-operating shafts and the rollers the r0-tation of said rollers in one direction is et' 7 fected by throwinglinthe clutches 52 and 54 and in the other direction by throwing in theclutches 51 and 53. These'clutches are therefore necessarily paired inwiring as follows: From the short contact plate 89 of the secondaryswitch 81 a wire is is led to one brush of the clutch 52, from the otherbrush of which a wire Z is led to one brush of the clutch 54, the otherbrush being connected, by means of a wire m, with the binding-post b ofthe lineswitch. The other pair of clutches to wit, 51 and 53-areconnected with the short contact-plate 90 of the switch 82, a wire 7%being led from the plate to one brush of the clutch 53 and a wire 0being led from the other brush to a brush of the clutch 51, whose sec0nd brush is in turn connected with the hinding-post b of theline-switch by a wire 7.

The operation of the machine as thus far de-' scribed is as follows:Assuming the parts to be in the positions indicated in Figs. 2 and 6 ofthe drawings, the circuit (see Fig. 14) is as follows: from theline-wire a to to the wire 0, primary switch-arm 86, and the contact 84,opposite which the arm is located, from the contact 84 through the wire(Z to the secondary switch-arm 91, thence through the short.

contact, thence through the wire it, clutch 52,

shafts 48 and 19 in the proper direction to r0 tate the feed-rollers ofthe two plate-receiving members in the direction of the arrows in Fig.6. If now a plate or other billet is presented to the frontplate-receiving member 11, it will be fed toward the mill by therotation of the feed-rollers, and as its front end emerges from thelower pass it will swing the trigger 101 and will then be engaged by therollers of the rear plate-receiving member or catcher 12 and will bedrawn into the latter. (See Fig. 11.) As soon as the rear end of theplate passing to the member 11 moves beyond the trigger 101 the latterwill fly back under the impulse of the spring 108, and the reciprocationof the rod 103 will cause the upper end of the arm 105 to throw theswitcharm 86 fromthe contact 84 of the primary switch to the contact 85thereof. (See dotted position in Fig. 11.) The circuit (see Fig. 15)will then be as follows: line-wire a and wire 0 to switch-arm 86, thencethrough wire 6 to the arm 92 of the switch 82, thence to the longcontact-plate 88 of said switch, and through the wire g, machine-clutch42,wire h, machineelutch 11, and Wire 2' to the binding-post b andline-wire b. It will now be noted that the automatic shifting of theprimary switch upon the complete reception of the plate by the.plate-receiving member 12 has opened a circuit through the secondaryswitch 81, the arm 91 of which is in contact with the short plate 89 andhas closed the circuit through the arm 92 of the switch 82, which arm isin contact, with the long plate 88 of the switch. It will also be notedthat the roller-clutches will be cut out and that the machine-clutcheshave been energized or thrown in. Thus upon the complete reception ofthe plate by the member 12 the feed-rollers will be stopped and theplateceiving members will begin to ascend in consequence of theconnection of their operating mechanisms with the source of powerthrough the medium of the machine-clutches. The elevation of theplate-receiving members will finally present them in positions atopposite sides of the upper pass'of the mill, at which time theswitch-arm 92 will have reached the end of the long contact-plate 88,opening the circuit through the machine-clutches to stop the tongs andmaking contact with the short contact-plate to close the circuit throughthe roller-clutches 51 and 53 for the purpose of operating the rolls inthe reverse direction (indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5) to feed theplate throughthe upper pass of the mill from the rear member 12 to themember 11 as the machine-clutches are automatically released. When thearm 92 shifts from the plate 88 to the plate 90 of the switch 82, thereciprocation of the maehine-operating racks will cease, and

as a consequence the arm 92 will remain in contact with the plate 90 tomaintain the circuit through the roller-clutches 51 and 53 during thepassage of the plate through the upper pass of the mill. This thirdposition of the connections will present the following circuit, (seeFig. 16:) line-wire a, wire 0 to switcharm 86 and contact 85, thencethrough wire a, contact-arm 92, short contact-plate 90, wire a,roller-clutch 53, wire 0, roller-clutch 51, and wire 19 to binding-post6 and line-wire b. As the advancing end of the plate emerges from theupper pass of the mill it strikes the lower end of the trip device ortrigger 109, swinging the latter (see Fig. 12) and moving the rod 111longitudinally against the resistance of the spring 113. When the rearend of the plate passes from under the trigger 109, the latter will flyback, (see dotted lines in Fig. 12,) and the retraction of the rod 111will cause the angular end thereof to strike a sharp blow upon theprimary-switch arm 86, shifting the latter from the contact 85 back tothe contact 84:. This will cut out the arm 92 of the secondary switch82, thus opening the circuit through the roller-clutches and stoppingthe rollers. At the same time the circuit will be closed through theswitch-arm 91 of the switch 81, which arm will have moved to the outerend of the long contact-plate 87 during the elevation of the tongs. Thethrowing of the primary switch-arm, as just described,will cut out theroller-clutches to stop the rollers, as stated, and will close a circuitthrough the machine-clutches, which in an obvious manner will cause theretraction of the racks 28 and 29 to lower the plate-receivingmembers totheir initial positions. The circuit with the parts in this (the fourth)position is as follows, (see Fig. 17 2) line-wire a, wire 0, switcharm86, contact 84:, wire d, contact-arm 91, plate 87, wire f,machine-clutch 12, wire it, machine-clutch 41, wired to binding-post,and line-wire 6. When the tongs reach their completely-depressedpositions, the arm 91 will pass out of contact with the plate 87, thusopening the circuit through the machineclutches, and will pass intocontact with the plate 89, thus closing the circuit, as traced indescribing the first position of the parts, through the roller-clutches52 and 54 to start the rollers for the purpose of again passing theplate through the lower pass of the mill from the member 11 to themember 12 in the manner heretofore described, By a continuation of thedescribed operation the plate or billet is passed and repassed throughthe mill until it has attained a standard length, at which time it isautomatically fed out of the machine, while another plate is being fedinto the machine from' the opposite side thereof. The means for causingthe automatic delivery of the plate from the machine when it has beensufficiently rolled is exceedingly simple and consists merely inproviding a device operated rear end of the machine.

by the plate to prevent the shifting of the pri' mary switch after theplate has been completely received by the member 12. At the rear end ofthe machine is located a standard 115, in which is mounted a lever 116,the pivotal connection of which with the standard 115 is of such naturethat more or less friction will be opposed to the shifting of the leveron its fulcrum. The upper end of the lever is so disposed that a platewhich has been rolled to standard length will strike its upper end andswing it to the position shown" in Fig. 13 before the rear end of theplate has passed from over and thus released the trigger 101. Thereforewhen the rolled plate or billet fed to the member 12 is of proper lengthit will shift the lever 116 to an obstructing position with respect tothe rod 103 prior to the release of the trigger. Consequently when thetrigger is released the lever 116 (held in position by the plate) willprevent the rod 103 from flying back, and will thus prevent the throwingof the switch-arm of the primary switch. The feed-rollers will continueto rotate in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 13, and thecompletely-rolled plate will be delivered from the When the delivery ofthe plate is complete, its release of the trigger 116 will permit thelatter to be swung back to its initial position bythe rod 103 under theimpulse of the spring 108; but as considerable frictional resistance isopposed to this movement of the lever the rod 103 instead of beingviolently retracted will gradually return to its normal position (shownin dotted lines in Fig. 13) and the primary switch will not be shifted.As a consequence the tongs or plate receiving members will remain intheir depressed positions and the rollers will continue to'rotate in thedirection of the arrows in Fig. 6. A plate may therefore be fed into thefront tongs or member 11 while a finished plate is being delivered fromthe member 12, and as the plate so fed will not be of suflicient lengthto operate the lever 116. the release of the trigger 101 will stop therollers and start the tongs to effect the passing and repassing of suchplate through the mill until it has attained the desired length, when itwill in turn effect the operation of the lever 116 and will be deliveredfrom the machine.

A subordinate feature of the invention resides in the provision of meansfor counterbalancing the tongs or plate-receiving members, such meansbeing preferably common to both tongs and comprising a counterbalancingweight 117, connected to a pair of crank-arms 118 and 119 on theeccentric-shafts 23 and 24: by one or more cables 121, passed overguidepulleys 121, mounted on the frame of the mill-stand.

It is believed that from the foregoing the construction and operation ofmy plate-handling machine will be clearly apparent; but

while the illustrated embodiment of the invention is thought at thistime to be preferable I wish to be distinctly understood as reserving tomyself the right to effect such changes, modifications, and variationsof the illustrated structure as may be fairly embraced within the scopeof the protection prayed.

What I claim is 1. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with amovable plate-receiving member, and feed-rollers, of electricalcontrolling mechanism for the feed-rollers, and plate-operated means foreffecting the actuation of said mechanism. 7 7

, 2. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a movableplate-receiving member, and feed-rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism for effecting alternate movements of the member and rollers,and means for automatically actuating the controlling mechanism.

3. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a movableplate-receiving member, feed-rollers, and operating mechanism for themember and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism for efiectingalternate movements of the member and rollers, and plateoperated meansfor automatically actuating the controlling mechanism.

4:. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a'plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill and provided withfeed-rollers, of means for operating the member and rollers, and meansfor automatically stopping the member and starting the rollers when theplate arrives opposite one pass, and for stopping the member andstarting the rollers in the reverse direction when said member arrivesopposite another pass of the mill.

5. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a movableplate-receiving member, and feed-rollers, of operating mechanism for themember and rollers, electrical controlling mechanism for stopping themember and starting the rollers before one pass of a IIO mill, and forstopping the member and starting the rollers in the reverse directionbefore another pass thereof, and plate controlled means for actuatingthe controlling mechanism.

. 6. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a movableplate-receiving member, and feed-rollers, of means for operating therollers to facilitate the reception of a plate by the member, means formoving the member, means for stopping the rollers and starting themember to transport the plate to a different pass of the mill, and meansfor preventing the stoppage of the rollers and the starting of themember when the plate received bysaid member exceeds a predeterminedlength. i 7. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a movableplate-receiving member, feed-rollers, means for operating said rollersto facilitate the reception of a plate by the member, and means formoving the member, of automaticallyopcrated controlling mechanism forstopping the rollers and starting the member upon the complete receptionof a plate, and plate-controlled means for preventing the stoppage ofthe rollers and the starting of the member when the plate received bysaid member exceeds a predetermined length.

8. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivin gmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and means foroperating the member and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanismfor the rollers including a switch and plate-controlled means forthrowing the switch.

9. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and means foroperating the member and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanismfor the rollers including a switch and separate platecontrolled devicesfor operating the switch to control the movement of the rollers when themember is disposed opposite different millpasses.

10. In a plate-handling machine, thecombination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism common to the member and rollers and including a switch andautomatically-operated means for throwing the switcln 11., In aplate-handling machine, the combination with aplate-receiving membermovable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, andoperatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism common to the member and rollers and including a switch and,plate-controlled means for operating the switch.

12. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivin gmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism common to the member and rollers and including a switch andseparate plate-controlled devices for throwing the switch to effect themovement in opposite directions of the member and rollers, respectively.

13. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable nation with a plate-receiving member movable between thepasses of a mill, feed-rollers, and

operating mechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticclutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theiroperating mechanism, a circuit including the clutch, a switch for saidcircuit, and separate plate-controlled devices disposed to be operatedto throw the switch when the member is located opposite different passesof the mill.

15. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnection between the member and its operating mechanism, a switch,electrical connections between the switch and each of the clutches,

and means for operating said switch to close a circuit through either ofthe clutches.

16. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnecti on between the member and its operating mechanism, a switch,electrical connections between the switch and each of the clutches, andautomatically-operated means for operating said switch to close acircuit through either of the clutches.

17. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnection between the member and its operating mechanism, a switch,electrical connections between the switch and each of the clutches, andplatecontrolled means for operating said switch to close a circuitthrough either clutch.

18. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnection between the member and its operating mechanism, a switch,electrical connections between the switch and each of the clutches, andseparate plate-controlled devices for operating the switch when themember is located opposite diiferent passes of the mill.

19. In a plate-handling machine, the combi- IIO her is located oppositeto said circuits, and automatically-operated means for throwing theswitch, whereby the rollers may be rotated in either direction.

20. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of a pair of electromagneticroller-clutches controlling the connection between the rollers and theiroperating mechanisms and arranged when thrown in to operate the rollersin different directions, separate electric circuits each including oneof the clutches, a switch constituting a circuit-closing device commonto said circuits, and plate-controlled means for throwing the switch,whereby the rollers may be rotated in either direction.

21. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of apair of electromagneticrollerclutches cont-rolling the connection between the rollers and theiroperating mechanism and arranged when thrown in to operate the rollersin dif' ferent directions, separate electric circuits each including oneof the clutches, a switch constituting a circuit-closing device commonto said circuits, and separate plate-controlled devices for throwing theswitch when the memdiiferent passes of the mill; i

22. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism controlling the connection between the operating mechanism andthe member and rollers, respectively, and including a switch operativeto eflect the alternate connection of the member and rollers with theoperating mechanism.

23. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with 'a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism controlling the connection between the operating mechanism andthe member and rollers, respectively, and including a switch operativeto efiect the alternate connection of the member and rollers with theoperating mechanism,

and automatic operating means for said switch.

24. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of electrical controllingmechanism controlling the connection between the operating mechanism andthe member and rollers, respectively, and including a switch operativeto effect the alternate connection of the member and rollers with theoperating mechanism, and means for operating said switch from a movingpart of the machine.

25. In a plate-handling machine, the combi nation with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic roller'clutch controlling theconnection between the operating mechanism and the rollers, andelectrical controlling mechanism common to said clutches and including aswitch operative to open and close the circuits through said clutches.

26. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a milhfeed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the memher and itsoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic roller-clutch controlling theconnection between the operating mechanism and the rollers, andelectrical controlling mechanism common to said clutches and including aswitch operative to open and close the circuits through said clutchesand means operated by a movable machine element to throw the switch.

27. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember. movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, andoperating mechanism 'for the member and rollers, of electricalcontrolling mechanism including a primary switch, separate circuits forwhich the primary switch constitutes a common circuit-closing device anda secondary switch designed to close said circuits alternately to efiectthe alternate connection of the member and rollers with the operatingmechanism.

28. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and

operating mechanism for the member and rollers, of electricalcontrolling mechanism including'a primary switch, separate circuits forwhich the primary switch constitutes a common circuit-closing device, asecondary switch designed to close said circuits alternately to effectthe alternate connection of the member androllers with the operatingmechanism and automatic operating means for said switches.

29. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and

" tion between the member and the operating the circuits alternately toalternately energize operating mechanism for the member and rollers, ofelectrical controlling mechanism including a primary switch, separatecircuits for which the primary switch constitutes a commoncircuit-closing device, a secondary switch designed to close saidcircuits alternately to efiect the alternate connection of the memberand rollers with the operating mechanism, plate-controlled means foroperating the primary switch and means operated from a moving machineelement to actuate the secondary switch.

30. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnection between the member and the operating mechanism,separate-circuits each including one of the clutches, a primary switchconstituting a circuit-closing device common to both circuits, and asecondary switch for closing the circuits alternately to alternately en.

ergize the machine and roller clutches.

' 31. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with aplate-receiving member movable between the passes of a mill,feed-rollers, and

J operating mechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutch controlling the connection between the rollers and theoperating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutch controlling theconnecmechanism, separate circuits each including one of the clutches, aprimary switch constituting a circuit-closing device common to bothcircuits, a secondary switch for closing the machine and rollerclutches, and means for automatically operating one of said switches.

' 32. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with aplate-receiving member movable between the passes of a mill,feed-rollers, and operating mechanism for the member and rollers, of anelectromagnetic roller-clutch controlling the connection between therollers and the operating mechanism, an electromagnetic machine-clutchcontrolling the connection between the member and the operatingmechanism, separate circuits each including one of the clutches, aprimary switch constituting a circuit-closing device common to bothcircuits, a secondary switch for closing the circuits alternately toalternately energize the machine and roller clutches, means forautomatically operating the primary switch, and means for operating thesecondary switch from a moving machine element.

33. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable operating mechanism for the member and rollers, of anelectromagnetic roller-clutch controlling the connection between therollers and the operating mechanism, an-electromagnetic machine-clutchcontrolling the connection between the member and the operatingmechanism, separate circuits each including one of the clutches, aprimary switch constituting a circuit-closing device common to bothcircuits, a secondary switch for closing the circuits alternately toalternately energize the machine and roller clutches, plate-controlledmeans for operating the primary switch, and means for operating thesecondary switch from a moving machine element.

34;. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mechanismand arranged to effect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits each including the machine-clutch,and separate switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit.

35. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mechanismand arranged to efiect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits each including the machine-clutch,separate switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit, and automatically-operated mechanism foroperating the switches.

36. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mechanismand arranged toeiiect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits each including the machine-clutch,separate switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and a ma--IOO IIO

chine-clutch circuit, and means 'forsimu1ta neously operating saidswitches from moving parts of the machine.

37. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mechanismand arranged to effect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits'each including the machine clutch,secondary switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit, and a primary switch for throwing either of thesecondary switches out of circuit.

38. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, teed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member'and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mechanismand arranged to efiect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including the machineclutch,secondary switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit, a primary switch for throwing either of thesecondary switches out of circuit, and means for effecting thesimultaneous automatic operation of the secondary switches.

39. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill,- feedrollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch controlling the connect-ion between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the connection of the rollers with the operating mech anismand arranged to effect the rotation of said rollers in oppositedirections, separate electric circuits each including one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits each including the machine-clutch,secondary switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit, a primary switch for throwing either of thesecondary switches out of circuit, and automatically-actuated operatingmeans for the primary and secondary switches.

40. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a plate-receivingmember movable between the passes or a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticmachine-clutch con trolling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the.

connection of the rollers with the operating mechanism and arranged toefiect the rotation of said rollers in opposite directions, separateelectric circuits each including one of the roller-clutches, separatecircuits each including the machine-clutch, secondary switches eachcontrolling a roller-clutch circuit and a machine-clutch circuit, aprimary switch for throwing either of the secondary switches out ofcircuit, means for automatically operating the secondary switches, andplate-controlled means for operating the primary switch.

41. In a plate-handling machine, the combination witha plate-receivingmember movable between the passes of a mill, feed-rollers, and operatingmechanism for the member and rollers, of an electromagneticroller-clutchcontrolling the connection between the member and itsoperating mechanism, a pair of electromagnetic roller-clutchescontrolling the con-- nection of the rollers with the operatingmechanism and arranged to effect the rotation of said rollers inopposite directions, separate electric circuits eachincluding one of theroller-clutches, separate circuits each including the machine-clutch,secondary switches each controlling a roller-clutch circuit and amachine-clutch circuit, a primary switch for throwing either of thesecondary switches out of circuit, means for effecting the simultaneousactuation of the secondary switches from moving-elements of the machine,and platecontrolled means for operating the primary switch.

4 2. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides or astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, of meansfor moving the receiving members and electrical cont-rolling mechanismcommon to said members, said mechanism including a switch and automaticoperating means therefor. 43. In a plate-handling machine, thecombination with a pair of plate-receiving members arranged for disposalat opposite sides of a stand of mill-rolls and movable between thepasses of the mill, of electrical controlling mechanism common to saidmembers and including a switch and means for automatically operatingsaid switch in different positions of the members.

4.4. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal'at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, of meansfor moving the members and electrical controlling mechanism common toboth members and including a switch, andplate-controlledswitch-operating mechanism. Y

45. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movablebetween the passes of the mill, of meansfor moving the members, electrical controlling mechanism common to saidmembers and including a switch, and separate switch-operating devicesdisposed for actuation by a plate as it passes through the differentpasses of the mill.

46. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, of aseries of feed-rollers carried by each plate-receiving member, andplate-operated controlling mechanism common to both series offeed-rollers.

47. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, and aseries of feed-rollers carried by each plate-receiving member, ofelectrical controlling mechanism common to both series of rollers andincluding a switch and means for automatically operating the switch toeffect the stopping and starting of the rollers.

48. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, and aseries of feed-rollers carried by each plate-receiving member, ofelectrical controlling mechanism common to both series of rollers andincluding a switch and plate-controlled means for operating the switchto effect the stopping and starting of the rollers.

49. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members arranged for disposal at opposite sides of astand of mill-rolls and movable between the passes of the mill, and aseries of feed-rollers carried by each plate-receiving member, ofelectrical controlling mechanism common to both series of rollers andincluding a switch and separate plate-controlled switch-operatingdevices disposed for actuation in difierent positions of theplate-receiving members.

50. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members each of which is equipped with a series offeedrollers, and operating means for the members and rollers, ofautomatically-operated means for stopping both members and starting bothseries of feed-rollers when the members arrive opposite one pass of amill, and for automatically stopping the members and starting bothseries of rollers in the reverse direction when the members arriveopposite another pass of the mill.

51. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members each of which is equipped with a series offeed-rollers, and operating means for the members and rollers, ofplate-controlled means for stopping both members and starting bothseries of feed-rollers when the members arrive opposite one pass of amill, and for stopping the members and starting both series of rollersin the reverse direction when the members arrive opposite another passof the mill.

52. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members, and operating mechanism therefor, of electricalcontrolling mechanism including electromagnetic machine-clutchescontrolling the operative connection between the members and theoperating mechanism, a switch also included as a part of the electricalcontrolling mechanism,and automatically-operated means for operating theswitch.

53. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with apair ofplate-receiving members, and operating mechanism therefor, of electricalcontrolling mechanism including electromagnetic machine-clutchescontrolling the operative connection between the members and theoperating mechanism, a switch also included as a part of the electricalcontrolling mechanism, and plate-controlled means for operating theswitch.

54:. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members, and operating mechanism therefor, of electricalcontrolling mechanism including electromagnetic machine-clutchescontrolling the operative connection between the members and theoperating mechanism, a switch also included as a part of the electricalcontrolling mechanism, and separate plate-controlled devices foroperating the switch in'diflerent positions of the members.

55. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, and aseries of feed-rollers carried by each member, of operating mechanismfor the members and rollers, separate electromagnetic rollerclutchescontrolling the connection of the operating mechanism and rollers toeffect the rtation of said rollers in opposite directions,andplate-controlled means for closing a circuit through the proper clutchto effect the rota-v tion of the rollers in either direction.

56. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesof feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for therollers and members, of electrical controlling mechanism common to bothmembers and to both series of rollers, said mechanism includingelectromagnetic roller-clutches controlling the operation of therollers, electromagnetic machineclutches controlling the operation ofthe members, a switch and electrical connections between the switch andthe several clutches.

57. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receivingmembers movable between the passes of amill, a series offeed-rollers carried byeach member, and

operating mechanism for the rollers and members, oi electricalcontrolling mechanism comof feed-rollers carried by each member, and

operating mechanism for the rollers and members, of electricalcontrolling mechanism common to both members and to both series ofrollers, said mechanism including electromag: netic roller-clutchescontrolling the operation'of the rollers, electromagneticmachineclutches controlling the operation of the members, a switch,electrical connections between the switch and the several clutches andplatecontrolled means for operating the switch.

59. In a plate-handling machine, the combi: nation with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesof feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for therollers and members, of electrical controlling mechanism common to bothmembers andto both series of rollers, said mechanism includingelectromagnetic roller-clutches controlling. the operation of therollers, electromagnetic machineclutches controlling the operation ofthe members, a switch, electrical connections between the switch and theseveral clutches and separate plate-controlled switch-operating devicesdisposed for actuation in diflerent positions of the members.

60. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with, a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, aseries offeedrollerscarried by each member, and operating mechanism forthemembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism for saidmembers including a pair of secondary switches controlling the movementof the members in opposite directions and a primary switch for closing acircuit through either of the secondary switches.

61. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, aseries offeed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism for saidmembers including a pair of second erated means for throwing the primaryswitch.

62. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesof feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism for saidmembers including a pair of secondary switches controlling the movementof the members in opposite directions, a primary switch for closing acircuit through either of the secondary switches and plate-controlledmeans for operating the primary switch.

63 In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesof feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism for saidmembers including a pair of secondary switches controlling the movementof the members in opposite directions, a primary switch for closing acircuit through either of the secondary switches and separateplate-controlled devices operative in different positions of the membersto throw the primary switch.

6%. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, aseries offeed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism common to therollers of both members and including separate electromagneticrollerclutches for effecting the simultaneous operation of all of therollers in each direction, secondary switches each of which controls theclutch for rotating the rollers in one direction and a primary switcharranged to close a circuit through either of the secondary switches.

65. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesof feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism common to therollers of both members and including separate electromagneticrollerclutches for eiiecting the simultaneous operation of all of therollers in each direction, secondary switches each of which controls theclutch for rotating the rollers in one direction, a primary switcharranged to close a circuit through either of the secondary switches andautomatically-operated actuating mechanism for the primary switch.-

66. In a plate-handling machine, the combination with a pair ofplate-receiving members movable between the passes of a mill, a seriesor" feed-rollers carried by each member, and operating mechanism for themembers and rollers, of electrical controlling mechanism common to therollers of both members and including separate electromagneticrollerclutches for efiecting the simultaneous opera: tion of all of therollers in each direction, sec-

